Intro to CNS - finish

Question 1

Categorisation of Brain Function

Answer 1

Three broad categories:

Input (perception): The process of handling data transmitted to the CNS from sense organs
e.g. sensory cortex, thalamus and reticular formation

Processing: Integration of new data and association with existing information (memory), cognition, emotional components
e.g. cortex and limbic system

Output: The consequential output following cognitive function. Can be voluntary or involuntary, such as movement or homeostasis
e.g. Cerebellum, basal ganglia, motor cortex, hypothalamus

Question 2

what is grey and white matter

Answer 2

Grey matter: the areas dense in neuronal cell bodies
(as well as glial cells and neuropil)

White matter: the areas dense in myelinated axonal tracts (with fewer cell bodies)

Question 3

what is Cerebral Cortex
how can this area be divided?

Answer 3

Represents more than half of the volume of the human brain

Responsible for abstract thought, judgement, memory and interpretation and integration of sensory input

Areas can be divided by function
Sensory
Motor
Association

Sensory, e.g.,
Primary visual (BA17)
Primary auditory (BA41, 42)
Primary somatosensory (BA3,1,2)

Motor, e.g.,
Primary motor (BA4)
Premotor and supplementary motor cortex (BA6)

Association, e.g.,
Prefrontal cortex (several BA, including BA9 & 46)
Somatosensory association (BA5)

Question 4

what are the 4 Cortical Lobes

Answer 4

Frontal Lobe: higher, executive functions
Parietal Lobe: integration sensory information
Temporal Lobe: processing sensory information
Occipital Lobe: visual processing

Question 5

what is included in the limbic system?
what is it responsible for?

Answer 5

Includes hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamic nuclei, olfactory and other regions

Responsible for the application of emotion (feelings) to cognitive functioning:
e.g. fear, love, rage, pleasure etc.

Overall behaviours largely determined by balance between cortical and limbic functions

Limbic system dysfunction often manifests as emotional disturbance

Thalamus acts as pre-processor and relay for sensory information - dysfunction can result in perceptual symptoms e.g. hallucination

Hypothalamus helps coordinate NS with endocrine system (via pituitary) and sympathetic NS (PNS) - fight or flight

Hippocampus is important for learning and memory

Amygdala is involved in fear processing and emotional memories

Question 6

what is Basal Ganglia
where is it found
role
main components

Answer 6

Interconnected nuclei within the cerebrum

Structurally distinct from the laminar cortex

Responsible for coordinating voluntary motor activity and for aspects of cognition, learning and memory and emotion

Highly connected to other areas, particularly the cortex and thalamus

Main components:
Striatum (dorsal: putamen & caudate nucleus; ventral: nucleus accumbens & olfactory tubercule)
Globus pallidus (GPe, GPi)
Subthalamic nuclei (STN)
Substantia nigra (SNc, SNr)

Dysfunction associated with many disorders, including Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease (see PM3B Parkinson’s disease)